The Flora And Fauna of Bali Island

The Flora And Fauna of Bali Island
The paradise island of Bali lies just to the west of the Wallace Line that separates the flora and fauna of Mainland Asia and Australia. Thus, Bali has a flora and fauna which is Asian in character, with very little Australasian influence, and has more in common with Java than with Lombok.

Balinese Flora

Most of the plants seen on Bali are not native but have been introduced by humans from around the world within the last centuries, particularly since the 20th century or centuries ago by Dutch & Indian traders in colonial times.

The rice terraces, of which some of the Bali villas resort are set, are the most common sight in Bali, particularly in the heavily populated and extravagantly fertile south.

Due to variations in altitude, rainfall, temperatures and humidity, there is a large variety in types of plants and flowers that can be found in bloom around the island of Bali.

Balinese flora typically includes the majestic, holy Banyan trees, swaying palms, the versatile bamboo, acacia trees and flowers.


The majestic huge banyan trees, believed to be especially powerful, are found everywhere in Bali. Even guests in the many luxury villas in Bali can see them planted in the villages by the Bale banjar or pavilion, or at crossroads and temple grounds, where its thick branches and hanging canopy or aerial roots are said to be a favorite haunt for invisible beings.

The Tamarind is also another typical Balinese tree that is mostly found in the north coast, as well as clove at the highlands. Meanwhile, the acacia, flame tree and mangrove can be found along the south coastlines. There are also a dozen species of coconut palms, varieties of bamboos and also endless rows of bananas species that are also everywhere across the island.

Flowers are also seen everywhere, from the many private villas in Bali gardens to its temple grounds.

The Balinese love beauty and their gardens, roads and temple grounds are delightfully adorned with all kinds of blooms imaginable.

You can find and enjoy hibiscus, bougainvillea, poinsettia, oleander, jasmine, water lily, lotus, roses, begonias, magnolias, orchids and hydrangeas throughout Bali. The ever-present magnolia, a variety of orchids and frangipani flowers with their exotic perfume blend well into the picturesque scenery, beautifying many front yards and gardens, along roads, and in temple grounds.

On higher grounds that receive more moisture, for instance around Kintamani, there are certain species of fern trees, mushrooms and even pine trees that thrive well.

Balinese Fauna

As Bali is situated in the Asian zone of Indonesia, Balinese Fauna is characterized by big carnivore mammals, such as the tiger or smaller ones such as black panthers or the leopard.
Until the early 20th century, Bali was home to several large mammals such as the wild Banteng, leopard and the most famous endemic Bali Tiger, which is the most dangerous carnivore and is almost extinct. This elusive Balinese tiger is believed to still roam the remote northwest part of the island but a sighting is indeed rare.

Today, the largest mammals are the Javan Rusa deer and the Wild Boar. A second, smaller species of deer, the Indian Muntjac, also exists.

In west Bali, there are also tigers; rhinoceros, elephant, orangutans and tapir, and deer and wild pigs are numerous throughout the island.

There are also Bali cattle, consisting of the tamed wild-ox and the Banteng (Bos Sondaicus), the wild version of which can still be found in the National Park; bats that haunt caves near Kusamba; squirrels, iguanas, civets, barking deer, mouse deer; sea turtles of Nusa Dua; and more than 300 species of birds. This includes the critically endangered Bali Starling, which is endemic. Others include the Yellow-crested Cockatoo, a member of a primarily Australasian family; the Barn Swallow, Black-naped Oriole (Kepodang), Black Racket-tailed Treepie, Crested Serpent-eagle, Crested Treeswift, Dollarbird, Java Sparrow, Lesser Adjutant, Long-tailed Shrike, Milky Stork, Pacific Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Sacred Kingfisher, Sea Eagle, Woodswallow, Savanna Nightjar, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Yellow-vented Bulbul, White Heron, Great Egret.

You could also see schools of dolphins near Lovina, Candidasa and Padangbai, and rich coral reefs around the coast, particularly around popular diving spots such as Tulamben, Amed, Menjangan or neighboring Nusa Penida, that host a wide range of marine life, for instance Hawksbill Turtle, Giant Sunfish, Giant Manta Ray, Giant Moray Eel, Bumphead Parrotfish, Hammerhead Shark, Reef Shark, barracuda, and sea snakes.

There are also inquisitive monkeys with outstretched hands forever beseeching a treat, lizards living harmoniously with humans and it is purported to be a fortuitous omen if one hears the lizard call seven times.